KWHS Presents ‘Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

It's a bible story, but not like one you've likely experienced before. "Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" opens at Kelly Walsh High School on February 22nd. Created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, this production of this "musical parable"  involves more than 100 students.

"It's the Genesis story of young Joseph who was disliked by his brothers because primarily his father bought him a coat," explained director and KW Theatre Instructor Dustin Hebert. "His brothers sold him into slavery and ended up experiencing a famine at home while Joseph, sort of 'Forrest Gumped' through Egypt."

Hebert says it's very much a spectacle show, with a wide mix of musical styles and dance, popular songs including “Go, Go, Go Joseph” and “Any Dream Will Do", crazy costume changes, and colorful lights and scenery. But Hebert says there are many messages as well.

"Everybody gets wrapped up because it's a bible story. This doesn't actually include a deity in the story line itself, but this does have more of a karmic redemption aspect where Joseph's message is, no matter what you do, as long as you're just a good person, generally good things will happen to you," said Hebert.  "All eleven of his brothers experience a high level of redemption and forgiveness."

Hebert has dedicated this production to the late Tom Empey, who headed up the Casper College Theatre Department for many years. Hebert saw Empey's production of "Joseph" twenty years ago, and said it had a profound effect on his life.

"And it changed my course, it allowed me to have some inspiration an go work at Casper College for the next two years under the direction of Tom Empey and Rich Burk," said Hebert. "It really was a turning point in my life, just watching the actions on stage, seeing the spectacle that is theatre and seeing how much the cast is bonded and how much they love what they do really inspired me to continue and work in the arts and now, I get to pass that on to my students."

Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat:

• Kelly Walsh High School auditorium, 3500 E 12th Street, Casper
• 7:00 p.m. February 22nd-23rd, 28th and March 1st and 2nd
• Tickets are $12 at the Kelly Walsh activities office, kwhstheatre.booktix.com or by calling 307-253-2172